Obama declares storms disaster in 21 New York counties

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — President Barack Obama has declared that fierce spring storms caused a disaster in 21 upstate New York counties, freeing federal money to help pay for emergency work and infrastructure repair or replacement.

He cited the run of severe weather that battered much of upstate with a mix of flooding, strong winds and tornadoes from April 26 to May 8.